A breakdown of the Warriors’ looming roster decisions

Golden State Warriors' Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr talk after the Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 113 to 104 in 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Oracle Arena on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 ... more

Golden State Warriors' Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr talk after the Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 113 to 104 in 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Oracle Arena on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. less

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

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Click through to see how the Golden State Warriors and the Bay Area celebrated their 2018 NBA Finals victory.

Photo: Mason Trinca/Special to the Chronicle

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Warriors' Stephen Curry showers the crowd with champagne as he rides by on a bus during the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals Championship parade in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

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Members of the Golden State Warriors pose for an informal team photo after attending an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors ... more

Members of the Golden State Warriors pose for an informal team photo after attending an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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(From left) Warriors' Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and head coach Steve Kerr attend an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden ... more

(From left) Warriors' Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and head coach Steve Kerr attend an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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Warriors' Stephen Curry attends an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland on ... more

Warriors' Stephen Curry attends an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Warriors' Draymond Green smiles at the crowd during an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in ... more

Warriors' Draymond Green smiles at the crowd during an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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Warriors' head coach Steve Kerr and general manager Bob Myers wave to construction workers watching as they participate in an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the ... more

Warriors' head coach Steve Kerr and general manager Bob Myers wave to construction workers watching as they participate in an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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Warriors' Kevin Durant is interviewed during an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown ... more

Warriors' Kevin Durant is interviewed during an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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Warriors' Jordan Bell adjusts his goggles while attending an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in ... more

Warriors' Jordan Bell adjusts his goggles while attending an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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Warriors' Stephen Curry chats with teammate Klay Thompson during an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory ... more

Warriors' Stephen Curry chats with teammate Klay Thompson during an NBC Bay Area Sports question and answer session with the team and coaches before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Stephen Curry jumps off of his bus to greet the crowd during the Warriors Championship Parade in Oakland, California, on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

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Stephen Curry greets the crowd during the Warriors Championship Parade in Oakland, California, on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

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Fans react as Kevin Durant interacts with the crowd along Broadway during Golden State Warriors' NBA Championship parade in Oakland, CA on Tuesday, June12, 2018.

Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle

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Stephen Curry calls out at the crowd during the Warriors Championship Parade in Oakland, California, on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

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Stephen Curry calls out at the crowd during the Warriors Championship Parade in Oakland, California, on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

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Stephen Curry yells out at the crowd during the Warriors Championship Parade in Oakland, California, on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

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Hundreds of thousands of fans line Broadway to catch a glimpse of their favorite players during the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals Championship parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Warriors' Stephen Curry holds up the 2018 NBA Championship Trophy as he passes the Oakland Tribune building during the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals Championship parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, ... more

Warriors' Stephen Curry holds up the 2018 NBA Championship Trophy as he passes the Oakland Tribune building during the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals Championship parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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Kevin Durant is grabbed by a pair of young fans as he greets the crowd lined along Broadway during Golden State Warriors' NBA Championship parade in Oakland, CA on Tuesday, June12, 2018.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

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Hundreds of thousands of fans line Broadway to catch a glimpse of their favorite players during the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals Championship parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

From the left, Chloe Henriquez. 6, Camryn Puebla, 6, and Karise Stewart, 8, wait with thousands of Warriors fans as they gather to watch the Warriors Championship Parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, ... more

From the left, Chloe Henriquez. 6, Camryn Puebla, 6, and Karise Stewart, 8, wait with thousands of Warriors fans as they gather to watch the Warriors Championship Parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Mason Trinca, Special to The Chronicle

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr signs autographs during the Warriors Championship Parade, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Oakland.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green with his son Draymond Jamal Green during the Golden State Warriors Championship Parade, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Oakland.

Oakland police chief Anne Kirkpatrick (right) rides in the Warrior's Golden State Warriors and the City of Oakland Championship Parade to honor the 2018 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, June 12, ... more

Oakland police chief Anne Kirkpatrick (right) rides in the Warrior's Golden State Warriors and the City of Oakland Championship Parade to honor the 2018 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. less

Spectators during the Golden State Warriors Championship Parade, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Oakland, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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The bus of Golden State Warriors Andre Iguodala and Jordan Bell during the Golden State Warriors Championship Parade, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Oakland, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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Nick Young pumps the crowd at the Warriors victory parade on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Sophie Haigney/ The Chronicle

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Steph Curry celebrates during the Warriors victory parade on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Al Saracevic/ The Chronicle

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Mayor Libby Schaaf rides in on a fire-breathing snail at the Warriors victory parade on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Sophie Haigney/ The Chronicle

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Charles Chapman of Oakland holds up a replica Larry O'Brien trophy as fans create their own confetti celebration before Golden State Warriors' NBA Championship parade in Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

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Karen Dasalla of Sunnyvale enjoys the confetti before Golden State Warriors' NBA Championship parade in Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

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Spectators at the Golden State Warriors Championship Parade, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Oakland.

Photo: Santiago Mejia/ The Chronicle

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Parade participants get ready for the Golden State Warriors Championship Parade, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Oakland.

Photo: Santiago Mejia/ The Chronicle

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From the left, Colleen Garza, Ayinde Garza, Nalah Garza, 6, and Zaire Garza, 15, of Vallejo cheer for a chance to be on television as thousands of Warriors fans gather to watch the Warriors Championship Parade ... more

From the left, Colleen Garza, Ayinde Garza, Nalah Garza, 6, and Zaire Garza, 15, of Vallejo cheer for a chance to be on television as thousands of Warriors fans gather to watch the Warriors Championship Parade in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Mason Trinca, Special to The Chronicle

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Fans cheer and wave a large Warriors flag as they line up along Broadway before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland, Calif. Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

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Spectators at the Golden State Warriors Championship Parade, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Oakland.

Photo: Santiago Mejia/ The Chronicle

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Fans carry cut-outs of Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant as thousands of fans line up along Broadway and 11th Street before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland on ... more

Fans carry cut-outs of Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant as thousands of fans line up along Broadway and 11th Street before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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A radio host pumps up the thousands of fans lined up along Broadway before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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Warriors fans line up along Broadway near 11th Street before the start of the Golden State Warriors NBA Finals victory parade in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

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Workers in Oakland pause to watch the celebration before the Warriors NBA Championship parade on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Photo: Al Saracevic/ San Francisco Chronicle

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From the left, Anaya Mosby, Alexa Rentar, Alondra Villegas and Makayla Mosby of Fremont cuddle up as they wait alongside of thousands of Warriors fans to watch the Warriors Championship Parade in downtown ... more

From the left, Anaya Mosby, Alexa Rentar, Alondra Villegas and Makayla Mosby of Fremont cuddle up as they wait alongside of thousands of Warriors fans to watch the Warriors Championship Parade in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. less

Photo: Mason Trinca, Special to The Chronicle

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Kevon Looney (5) sits on the sideline during a timeout in Game 1 of the The NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, California, on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

The Warriors’ flight home from Cleveland on Saturday afternoon was decidedly mellow. In the afterglow of another NBA title, most players slept. Unlike 2015, when winning a championship was new, Golden State’s latest cross-country charter wasn’t abuzz with talk about trips to Las Vegas.

“It was a much more subdued group, but also a fulfilled group, a satisfied group,” general manager Bob Myers recalled. “The first time around, there was more exuberance.”

After sweeping the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals for its third championship in four years, Golden State was widely anointed a “dynasty.” Many in the Warriors’ organization, however, aren’t so comfortable with the new label. Instead of reveling in their accomplishments, they prefer to focus on getting better.

The lapses in focus that plagued Golden State this season will be trickier to avoid as it tries to play deep into June for a fifth consecutive year. With a number of teams tightening the talent gap and LeBron James’ future in flux, the Warriors shouldn’t trust that they can sleepwalk through the regular season again, start playing with some urgency in the playoffs and win another NBA title.

It is why this summer is as critical as any of head coach Steve Kerr’s previous four with Golden State. The Warriors inevitably will feel the mental toll that comes with trying to maintain greatness, but their next title pursuit starts long before their season opener. Decisions made in the coming months should go a long way in determining whether Golden State will build on the best four-year stretch in franchise history or start regressing.

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“I think it feels easier on the ascent,” Myers said of the Warriors’ emergence as the class of the league. “As you climb up, you don’t really know. You can hope and dream of a championship, but trying to maintain it has a different kind of perseverance, a different type of grit.”

Most of Golden State’s problems this season were self-induced. Mentally drained from three NBA Finals trips, the Warriors struggled to concentrate, piled up silly turnovers and let their defense lag. A team loaded with All-Stars slogged to the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed and lost 10 of its final 17 regular-season games.

By the time it faced an elite opponent, Houston, in the West finals, Golden State was forced to come to terms with the fact that its imbalanced roster was ill-suited for a league trending toward small-ball lineups. The Warriors had nearly a half-dozen centers — Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee, David West, Damian Jones and Jordan Bell — they would have preferred not to use against the Rockets, a team that relies heavily on three-point shooting.

Now, as it prepares to make decisions on seven free agents, Golden State has a singular goal: get younger. The Warriors’ core of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston provides plenty of locker-room leadership. With much of the rest of the roster, Golden State hopes to groom players into reliable contributors.

The plan’s benefits are twofold: In addition to setting the Warriors up for sustained success, it allows the team to deal with the grind of an 82-game regular season. Kerr can spend those relatively meaningless months developing the team’s young players and giving his All-Stars necessary rest. A new-look supporting cast will provide an energy that Golden State lacked this season.

“We have to do everything we can to make it as smooth as possible,” Kerr said. “It’s not possible to have everyone as eager as they were in 2014-15, but it’s possible to make some changes to help us shift our focus a bit. Getting younger is an important factor for us.”

Of the Warriors’ four free agents in the latter stages of their careers, two — Pachulia and guard Nick Young — almost definitely will not be re-signed this summer. West, still a serviceable backup center at age 37, might be welcomed back on a minimum deal if he opts not to retire. It is unclear what Golden State will do with McGee, who started the NBA Finals after hardly playing in the previous two playoff series.

The Warriors see Kevon Looney and Patrick McCaw — at 22, the team’s youngest players — as potential building blocks, but could have a tough time re-signing them.

Looney, whose fourth-year option wasn’t exercised in October, figures to command more in unrestricted free agency than the $2.2 million Golden State can offer. A restricted free agent, McCaw has a combination of versatility, size and upside that could make him an intriguing target.

Before free agency arrives, the Warriors hope to select a rotation-ready wing player with the No. 28 pick of the NBA draft. They also are open to buying into the second round, in which they have had success in recent years with McCaw (No. 38 in 2016) and Bell (No. 38 in 2017).

The few free-agency resources a team so deep in the luxury tax has — namely, the mid-level exception and the minimum exception — will be used on players either in their prime or still getting established in the NBA. It helps Golden State that, after four years atop the league hierarchy, some free agents might be willing to take a pay cut to chase a championship in the Bay Area.

But regardless of who is on the roster next season, the Warriors know that new challenges loom. Such is the burden that comes with verified greatness.

“Next year,” Myers said, “it’s going to be harder than it was this year to accomplish what we want to accomplish.”

Connor Letourneau moved to the Golden State Warriors beat in September 2016 after a year covering Cal. Previously, he spent two years covering the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian. Letourneau is a University of Maryland alum who has interned for The Baltimore Sun and blogged for The New York Times. A Portland, Ore., native, he is interested in telling the stories that extend beyond the field or court.